Improvement in car-couplings



i. NITED STATES MILO P. SCOTT, OF SEWICKLEY, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN CAR-COUPLINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 155,983, dated October 13, 1874; application filed July 14, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MILO P. SooTT, of Sewickley, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Car-Couplings; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved carcoupling. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same; and Fig. 3 is a front view, the face-plate being removed, exhibiting the vertical and horizontal spring-jaws.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts in each.

My invention relates to that class of devices known as car-couplings, and is what may be termed an automatic car-coupling.

In the drawing referred to, A represents the face-plate; B B, portions of the couplingbox, the portion B being provided with the vertical and lateral spring-jaws, and the portion B containing a sliding spring-piston, which supports the coupling-pin and against which the link abuts. The coupling-box or draw-head is formed of the usual material, and is made by me in three or more sections, A B B, connected bythebolts and secured by the nuts a and cap-pieces a, as shown. The face-plate has no peculiarities of construction except that the opening for the admission of the link is preferably bended or sloped at such an angle as will correspond with the slope upon the spring-jaws, so as to act as a guide to the link in its entry. The portion of the drawhead B is what may be termed the box of the vertical and horizontal springs, and is recessed at b for the reception of the spring, and the slide or bolt of the spring-jaw, against which the spring 0 bears. 0 represents the springjaws of the form shown, or its equivalent, the forward portion of which, forming the biting surface of the jaw, is sloped or beveled so as to deflect the link, should it strike above or below the central opening. It is provided with the slide or bolt 0 and shouldered portion, which slides in the recess 1) and is held forward by the pressure of the spring 0. These springjaws O are four in number, two

placed horizontally and two vertically, and

they are further scarfed at their points of contact, so as to fit closely together, leaving but a small orifice for the admission of the link. This construction causes them to bite upon the links, when forced between them, and hold the same in a horizontal position, but, being provided with a spring, and being shouldered so as be held in position, owing to the form of the recesses b of box B, they are enabled to move, to allow of the necessary lateral and vertical play of the link. The portion of the box B is provided with a sliding piston or abutting surface, 12 held forward by a coiled or other suitable spring against the plate D, and keeps this position until such a time as it retires before the thrust of the couplinglink. F is the coupling-pin, introduced from above through an opening, f, which permits it to pass in rear of the plate D and in front of the portion B, or in a groove formed between the two. When the sliding piston or abuttinghead b is forced forward by the spring I) it rests against the rear face of the plate D and supports the coupling-pin F directly over the center of the path of the link. The box B may be provided with a central pillar or projection, I), for centering the spiral spring b when such is used. G is the usual couplinglink. The several portions A, B, and B, comprising the draw-head, occupy the relative positions shown in Fig.2, and are held firmly together by the bolt and nuts.

The operation of these devices is as follows: The link G being forced between the couplingjaws, which reoede before the thrust thereof, will impinge upon the sliding bolt or head b forcing the same back and releasing the coupling-pin f supported thereby, which, falling vertically, passes through the link, coupling the cars, whereupon the abutting-head b, being forced forward by the spring 11 will take up the slack between the link and the pin, preventing unnecessary play and consequent wear, while the vertical and horizontal springjaws G G will permit of all lateral or vertical play necessary for the link.

The advantages of my improved coupling are, first, that it is automatic in its action, avoiding the dangers now arising in coupling cars; and the arrangement of spring-jaws is such that they take up any slackness between 1 combined and held within recesses in the seethe coupling-pin and the link, holding the tions A B, substantially as and for the pnrlink firmly, yet permitting all necessary mopose specified.

tion thereof. In testimony whereof I, the said MILO I.

Having thus described my invention, 1' SCOTT, have hereunto set my hand.

clai1n- MILO P. SCOTT.

A draw-head, composed of the sections A, Witnesses: B, and B, and having the vertical and hori- T. B. KERR,

zontal spring-jaws G, and abutting-head b all J AMES 1. KAY. 

